Arsenal Ends 22-Year Premier League Title Drought with 2025/26 Triumph

Arsenal Clinches First Premier League Title Since the Invincibles

After a wait of 22 years, Arsenal have finally secured their 14th Premier League championship. Mikel Arteta's squad was crowned champions on May 19, following Manchester City's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. This victory marks Arsenal’s first league title since their unbeaten season in 2003/04.

The Gunners had led most of the 2022/23 season but stumbled late and finished five points behind a dominant City team that won an unprecedented treble. Despite this setback, Arsenal invested heavily in new talent during the offseason to mount another title challenge in 2023/24, pushing the race to the last day but ultimately falling short again to City.

In 2024/25, hopes were high as City's form wavered, but Liverpool surged ahead to claim the crown while Arsenal couldn’t maintain their momentum. This time in 2025/26, however, Arsenal delivered when it mattered, ending what felt like a long struggle for the club and its fans in North London.

The Last Arsenal Premier League Title Before 2025/26

Their previous league triumph dates back to the 2003/04 campaign, when Arsene Wenger's team completed the season without a single loss, earning 90 points over 38 matches. This remarkable feat earned them the nickname 'The Invincibles' and is often considered one of the greatest Premier League teams ever assembled.

That year, Arsenal secured crucial wins against top rivals, including a notable 2-1 victory at Liverpool and a double over Chelsea, who were their closest challengers. One memorable match was the 0-0 draw at Manchester United known as the 'Battle of Old Trafford.' The match was intense and ill-tempered, with Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira sent off late, while Ruud Van Nistelrooy missed a last-minute penalty for United. Martin Keown’s celebration in front of Van Nistelrooy sparked a post-match scuffle involving several players from both sides.

The FA charged six Arsenal players and two Manchester United players with improper conduct following the incident. This game symbolized Manchester United’s fading dominance and helped fuel Arsenal’s unbeaten run as they claimed the title, while United settled for third place. Wenger's squad never looked back after that breakthrough.

Arsenal’s Premier League Performances Since 2003/04

Although Arsenal regularly finished in the top four and qualified for the Champions League each year from 2004/05 through 2015/16 under Wenger, they rarely mounted serious title challenges until the 2022/23 season.

Here is a summary of Arsenal's league positions and points gap from first place each season since the Invincibles:

• 2004/05: 2nd place, 12 points behind
• 2005/06: 4th place, 24 points behind
• 2006/07: 4th place, 21 points behind
• 2007/08: 3rd place, 4 points behind
• 2008/09: 4th place, 18 points behind
• 2009/10: 3rd place, 11 points behind
• 2010/11: 4th place, 12 points behind
• 2011/12: 3rd place, 19 points behind
• 2012/13: 4th place, 16 points behind
• 2013/14: 4th place, 7 points behind
• 2014/15: 3rd place, 12 points behind
• 2015/16: 2nd place, 10 points behind
• 2016/17: 5th place, 18 points behind
• 2017/18: 6th place, 37 points behind
• 2018/19: 5th place, 28 points behind
• 2019/20: 8th place, 43 points behind
• 2020/21: 8th place, 25 points behind
• 2021/22: 5th place, 24 points behind
• 2022/23: 2nd place, 5 points behind
• 2023/24: 2nd place, 2 points behind
• 2024/25: 2nd place, 10 points behind
• 2025/26: 1st place